Guard Rail Funding Approved

By Nicholas Briano

The 2009 accident that killed a Broad Channel woman and her dog as they were walking through the wildlife refuge. New York City Council funding for the installation of pedestrian guard rails through the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge between Broad Channel and the Joseph P. Addabbo Bridge has been approved, city officials announced this week.

The guard rails will be installed along Cross Bay Boulevard from West 4th Road in Broad Channel to the bridge in an effort to improve pedestrian safety for those who frequent the walking and biking path. Strong requests by the community were made after a woman and her dog were killed walking through the wildlife refuge in 2009 as a car spun out of control and flipped onto the sidewalk.

Speeding has been an issue through the area that has few traffic lights and too little police presence to enforce speed limits. The New York City Department of Transportation will be responsible for the installation of the guard rails. DOT is the same agency that last year reduced the number of lanes from three to two through the wildlife refuge in hopes it would curb speeding.

Many deadly acidents have occured on Cross Bay Boulevard over the past 10 years. Councilmember Eric Ulrich, based on constituent complaints, requested the guard rails be installed as a matter of public safety.

“This is long overdue. Unfortunately, we know all too well how dangerous Cross Bay Boulevard can be, especially at night and during heavy rainfall,” Ulrich said. “Guardrails will help protect pedestrians and cyclists who are currently at the mercy of speeding cars. There is no doubt in my mind that this will help save lives.”

No announcement has yet been made on when the nearly $400,000 project will get underway.

The Broad Channel Civic Association President Dan Mundy Jr. says they are pleased to hear the good news that will add a level of safety to the area that currently doesn’t exist.

“We’re extremely happy the councilman got the money for the rails and we look forward to them because it will save lives,” Mundy said. “That path has seen increased use every year. On a nice day it’s loaded with people biking, walking and running.”